The 2024 boys golf season is just around the corner.
St. John Paul II and Nantucket were the only Cape Cod teams to make it to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament, while several individuals shined in their respective state tournaments against the state’s best competitors.
Both JPII and Nantucket have lost key players who contributed to those successes, including the Whalers, who lost eight varsity golfers. But there are several talented players returning to teams across the Cape ahead of a new season eager to make a name for themselves.
Here are the 2024 Cape Cod Times golfers to watch:
*If a team is not on this list, it is because the coaches did not respond..
Colin Gleason, Barnstable
Gleason is the reigning Vineyard Golf Club High School Invitational champion and a Cape & Islands All-Star. The junior will take over the top spot from graduate Chad Tordone, who reached the quarterfinals of the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship at Bayberry Hills this summer.
Charlie Campbell, Barnstable
Campbell is a sophomore with great talent and potential. Red Hawks coach Robert Toffolon said he is an exciting player.
Ryan Woeller, Barnstable
Woeller was a member of the four-man Red Hawks team that finished second at the Vineyard Club High School Invitational last season. Toffolon said, “He’s very talented.”
Griffin Kelly, The Bourne
Kelly is a senior and will be the Canalmen’s best player when the team tees off to start the season. He is the team’s captain.
Josia De Souza, Bourne
De Souza, a senior, was hailed as the Canalmen’s most accomplished player at the start of the season.
Luca Finton, Bourne
Finton is a senior who has a strong tee game.
Ben Catalano, Cape Cod Academy
Catalano is coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he had a nine-hole stroke average of 41.4 and shot five rounds in the 30s. Catalano finished tied for 16th as an individual at the Division 3 state championship. Seahawks coach Hunter Shinn said Catalano is “ready for another outstanding season” as the junior builds on the momentum of his sophomore season.
Tripp Germani, Cape Cod Academy
Germani had an impressive 2023 golf season, averaging 42 strokes per nine holes, with three rounds in the 30s being the highlight. The sophomore qualified as an individual for the Division 3 state championship, where he finished 21st. Shinn believes Germani will be “a major contributor” this fall.
Olivia Jatczak, Cape Cod Academy
Shinn calls Jatczak a “key member of the varsity program” who is motivated to drop even harder. Jatczak was consistent as a sophomore, shooting a 41 against St. John Paul II and a 43 against Sturgis West.
Nolan Baker, Cape Tech
Baker has been a varsity player all four years and has improved each year. Cape Tech has been in a rebuilding phase for several years, but Baker is ready to take the next step to help the team be a contender in the Mayflower League.
Junior Brayden Wright, Cape Tech
Wright has been playing for Cape Tech for three years. Crusaders coach Kevin Furey said of the junior: “He has been one of the most consistent, if not the most consistent, player we’ve ever had.” He performs very well in match play events.
Christopher Morin, Cape Tech
Morin is already a standout freshman on the team. Furey praised the young man, saying, “He’s already such a skilled player and plays with so much composure for his young age.” Furey believes Morin has the chance to do big things in the league and will be a household name once this season gets underway.
Mason Cron, Martha’s Vineyard
Cron was praised for his work ethic by Vineyarders coach Henry Smith. He is a senior.
Nick Rabeni, Martha’s Vineyard
Rabeni is a manager at the Vineyards, where he is a senior.
Jacoby Light, sophomore at Martha’s Vineyard
Smith named Light as a player to keep an eye on for the Vineyarders. He is a sophomore.
Liam Hansford, Mashpee
Hansford was the Falcons’ leading scorer last season and was named one of the South Shore League All-Stars. Falcons coach Elffie Purdy praised the junior as a “positive role model” who is highly respected by teammates, coaches and opponents alike.
Jackson Carlson, Mashpee
Carlson joined the Falcons program in 2023 and quickly showed tremendous progress in all areas. Purdy believes the junior will be one of the team’s best players next season.
Gavin Lakatos, Mashpee
Lakatos is a multi-sport athlete with a natural swing who puts in a lot of effort and plays consistently. Purdy said the junior “enjoys the challenge” and is very resilient and mentally strong.
Casey Huse, Monomoy
Huse has been a member of the Sharks’ team for five years and has been captain for the past three seasons. The senior is a two-time Cape & Islands All-Star and has represented the team as an individual at the state tournament. Sharks coach John Anderson called him a “quiet leader who motivates the team with his talent, hard work and love of golf.”
Jackson Rocco, Monomoy
A three-year captain and two-time Cape & Islands All-Star, Rocco is known as one of Cape Cod’s best players and finished second at the Cape & Islands Championship last season. Anderson said, “Jackson brings a high level of athleticism and competitiveness to the course.” The senior will represent the Sharks at the prestigious Cape Cod National Golf Club High School Invitational in September.
Braden Burke, Monomoy
Burke was described by Anderson as the reliable and unifying force of the Sharks golf team. He has been a member of the varsity team for five years and was captain for the past two seasons. Burke is an intelligent golfer who knows how to utilize his athleticism and attention to detail.
Jack Martin, Nauset
Martin is a three-time Cape & Islands All-Star and the Warriors’ No. 1 player. Warriors coach Brian Hicks said of his captain, “We’re in this position because we have Jack. I don’t have to show you his resume on the course, it speaks for itself, but what he’s done off the course has set this program up for years to come.” The senior had a season average of 37 strokes for nine holes last year, culminating in a third-place finish at the MIAA Division 2 state championship. He finished fourth at the South Sectionals.
Max St. Aubin, Nauset
Much like his Nauset teammate, St. Aubin made a name for himself as a freshman, shooting 78 over 18 holes at the Vineyard Golf Club High School Invitational, where the Warriors finished fourth. What stands out to Hicks is St. Aubin’s dedication to the game. Hicks said, “He’s worked hard and it shows.” St. Aubin will be the team’s No. 2 player after Sean Kipperman graduated, and there are high expectations for the sophomore.
Luke Greeley, Sandwich
Greeley was a South Shore All-Star as a junior, where he averaged 38.4 strokes per nine holes. Sandwich head coach Brent Pearsall described his captain as a solid and smooth player.
Kaden Schultz, Sandwich
Schultz, who is left-handed, is an outstanding athlete who made great strides over the summer, and Pearsall expects the senior to be a big contributor this year.
Blaise Chatigny, Sandwich
Pearsall believes Chatigny will compete for the top spot on the Sandwich golf team this season. The sophomore was named a South Shore All-Star as a freshman and is a ferocious competitor.
Sam Scioletti, John Paul II
Scioletti has been on the varsity team since seventh grade and was instrumental in the Lions’ fourth consecutive win in the Cape & Islands Lighthouse Division. The senior, a 2023 Cape & Islands League All-Star, posted a 41 scoring average for nine holes. Lions coach Geoff Converse said Scioletti’s strengths are his drive and short game.
Chris Heywood, John Paul II
Converse said Heywood showed the most improvement in his sophomore year. He finished the year with a 42-stroke average and had the team’s best finish at the Division 3 state championship. Heywood, who earned honorable mention as a Cape & Islands All-Star, has a quiet personality who is a tough fighter.
Bella Scioletti, Saint John Paul II
Scioletti made an immediate impact with the Lions after joining the program as a junior. She finished second at the Cape Cod and the Islands Girls High School Championships for the second consecutive year and finished 12th at the MIAA Girls High School Championships. Converse described Scioletti as a hard-working player and a threat every time she steps on the court.
Ryan Wiesner, Sturgis East
Wiesner was a Cape & Islands All-Star last season.
Kyle Sheppard, Sturgis East
Sheppard is one of the team’s most improved players. He’s a junior.
Bryan Sheppard, Sturgis East
The sophomore is also one of Sturgis East’s most improved players, along with Kyle.
Cooper Stephens, Sturgis West
Stephens is one of three players returning for Rondeau. Rondeau compared the sophomore to an assistant coach and an extension of his staff. He will look to fill a big void left by Mya Murphy, one of the program’s top golfers.
Alex Saunders, Sturgis West
Although Saunders is a freshman, he is an experienced golfer. He was part of the First Tee program and Sturgis West coach Jim Rondeau said he is very coachable.
JP Ferretti, Sturgis West
Ferretti is also a freshman, but he is not new to golf, having participated in the First Tee program with his head coach. Rondeau hopes to leave him alone so he can be himself and just play golf.
Allen Gunn covers high school sports for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @allentgunn.
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